Our public housing policy is pro-family in orientation. As a general policy, HDB flat buyers need to form a family nucleus before they can qualify for housing subsidies. The Additional CPF Housing Grant was introduced in 2006 to provide more targeted assistance to lower-income families, by giving them an additional grant when they buy their first home.

Singles are encouraged to live with their parents as part of a family unit for mutual care and support. Nevertheless, the Government recognises some Singaporeans are single and prefer to live on their own. As such, citizen singles aged 35 and above are given the option of buying a resale HDB flat. Singles who meet HDB eligibility criteria can also enjoy a housing subsidy in the form of the CPF Housing Grant for Singles (called the Singles Grant) worth $11,000 and qualify for an HDB mortgage loan at the concessionary interest rate.

The qualifying income ceiling for the Singles Grant is capped at $3,000 to maintain parity of treatment vis-�-vis families. The income ceiling for families to qualify for a CPF Housing Grant is set at a higher level of $8,000 to take into account the higher income earned by the average household comprising three to four individuals. Singles buying a resale flat under the Joint Singles Scheme, where two or more singles come together to buy a flat, enjoy the same income ceiling of $8,000.

We assure readers the HDB reviews its housing policies regularly, taking into account national and flat buyer needs, including those of families and singles.

Leong Chok Keh
Deputy Director (Policy & Property)
for Director (Estate Administration & Property)
Housing & Development Board